Chapter 20: Acasia

I felt as if I won a major battle. Finding the sketchbook was heartbreaking and eye opening. Bastian's pain was so incredibly deep, and I would do anything to ease it. He needed to trust that I knew what was best. Stubbornness was the way of men and it didn't matter if they were human or dragon.

We ate lunch in the library and I realized something else was wrong. He wouldn't look at me when he finally spoke.

"I am going away with Laryn. We will be gone a few days and you are staying behind."

I calmly rested my fork beside my plate. "Where are you going?"

"We are raiding a neighboring realm."

Fear made my voice tight. "And I have no say in this?"

"It is the way of dragons. A bride's place when her dragon goes hunting treasure is at the hearth. You will do as told."

One step forward and one-hundred steps back when dealing with a pigheaded idiot. "When do you leave?"

"In an hour."

I wanted to hit him, and I could tell by his refusal to look at me that he postured for the sake of